news

2017 Mercedes-AMG E63, E63 S pricing and specs

Double-pronged assault for new E63 hero


The new-generation 2017 Mercedes-AMG E63 S will hit Australia in June, the company's local arm has reaffirmed, with the 'regular' E63 to follow in December.

Revealed in October last year and driven by CarAdvice in November, the new E63 is the first of the new large premium Euro performance-car trio to debut, comfortably beating the new and as yet unseen BMW M5 and Audi RS6 models to market.

Unlike the S-only C63 S, AMG's larger hero sedan will be offered locally in both E63 4Matic+ and E63 S 4Matic+ forms. The dynamic Deutsche duo will be priced from $209,900 and $239,900 respectively, before on-road costs.

That pricing represents a significant $50,000 leap beyond AMG's new entry-level E-Class offering, the 295kW/520Nm E43 (review) - but few shopping at this end of the market would argue.

The last time there was a standard E63 and up-spec companion (the Performance Package of the W212), the lesser car made up just 20 per cent of the sales split.

The local arm isn't sharing its forecast for the new models, but given the hunger in Australia for top-shelf AMG product, that number is unlikely to shift upwards.

Making the leap to a 63 badge buys you a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 producing 420kW and 750Nm, while stepping onto the top rung sees those numbers pumped up to a fairly monstrous 450kW and 850Nm.

Handily, again for those in the market, the S model's price also represents a discount on its predecessor, which was priced from $249,900 when we last drove it.

If you'd like to put those savings back into your AMG, there is also availability of the familiar Edition 1 package (detailed below), priced at $18,990 MRLP.

The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that drives the E63 models is matched to an AMG SpeedShift nine-speed multi-clutch sport automatic transmission (with a wet start-off clutch), and the company's enhanced 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system.

This combination, packed into the 1950kg new-generation E63, promises a 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds for the E63, shaved to 3.4 seconds for the S model.

The previous model could deliver 3.9 seconds in 4Matic form, but our market got only the rear-drive model, which delivered a relatively pedestrian time of 4.1 seconds. For shame.

Other tricks of the new model's engine includes cylinder deactivation for reduced fuel use (9.3L/100km for both models), along with, more excitingly for the handful that might dare try it, a Drift Mode for the S model that promises "the driving experience of an exclusively rear-wheel-drive vehicle".

There's also a sports suspension package based on Mercedes' Air Body Control system, delivering adjustability of a three-chamber air spring through the available transmission modes.

Stand-out standard kit for the E63 4Matic+ includes a mechanical rear-axle limited-slip differential, 20-inch five-twin-spoke alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim and Thermotronic three-zone automatic climate control.

Step up to the E 63 S and there's AMG's electronic rear LSD, active dynamic engine mount, AMG Performance selectable exhaust settings, 20-inch cross-spoke forged wheels in matt black with high-sheen highlights, darkened AMG Night Package exterior trim, red brake calipers, AMG Performance seats and nappa/Dinamica microfibre-wrapped steering wheel, nappa-trimmed instrument panel and door beltlines, digital TV tuner and wireless charging for compatible mobile phones.

Not enough? It's Edition 1 for you, then. For a further $18,900 (MRLP) on the S model, you'll get 'Designo' Selenite Grey Magno paint, ceramic composite brakes, AMG side graphics in a matt finish, AMG Exclusive nappa leather seats with contrast yellow stitching, Dinamica microfibre steering wheel with yellow stitching, carbon-fibre trim highlights in the cabin, and more yellow highlights and stitching.

2017 AMG E63, E63 S pricing (before on-road costs):

Mercedes-AMG E 63 4MATIC+ $209,900 (MRLP)
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ $239,900 (MRLP)

Chat with us!







Chat with Agent